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Lighting Styles has sold illuminated shaving and vanity mirrors for a number of years and one common question is the availability of battery operated mirrors. So why would a battery operated shaving mirror be required? Ease of installation means a battery illuminated mirror can just be screwed to the wall and switched on. No electrician is required and any existing decoration and wall tiles are not disturbed by the need to channel out the wall to provide and electrical supply.
However the high energy usage of halogen and fluorescent lamps made them impractical to operate on batteries – the batteries simply would not operate the lamps for a long enough period of time or would give insufficient light to make them worthwhile. Once high output LED lamps became available their energy efficient use of electricity and their requirement for a low voltage DC supply made them ideal for use on batteries.
So with new technology providing a low energy light source Lighting Styles went through a design exercise to make the most practical and stylish design for a mirror that would use the LED light source. The first requirement was to have a mirror that gave a magnified image. Popular levels of magnification for use in vanity and shaving mirrors are 3x and 5 x magnification. This level of magnification makes it easier to apply make-up with accuracy and enable a close shave that doesn’t miss hairs in more awkward places.
Also in the design process was the requirement for the mirror to be flexible enough for use by all member of the family. So the design was based around a vertical rail that allows the height of the mirror to be raised or lowered to suit users of different height. Other practical design requirements include the ability to bring the mirror closer to the user and make it easy to fold away so an arm is used that brings the mirror 150mm forward for close-up work. Next to suit all bathroom layouts the design incorporated a ball joint that allowed the mirror to tilt and rotate so that the user can see a clear image when using the battery operated mirror.
With the design aesthetics of the battery shaving mirror in place the practicalities of providing the best light source was considered. Behind the magnified glass is a printed circuit board with 36 “T” type LED chips that emit light to the side where a opaque plastic ring surrounding the mirror catches the light an illuminates the face. Another practical requirement for a battery operated shaving mirror is ensuring long battery life and consideration was given to how this would be achieved. After careful trials Lighting styles discovered that incorporating an automatic timer into the on switch would be a good and reliable way of ensuring the mirror was not left on after use. Many of us are in a rush in the morning so it would be a mistake to make a battery operated mirror that does not automatically switch itself off! This function saves the batteries and ensures long time between battery replacements. Lastly a few other improvements were made including a soft push button that switches the lights on and allows for three levels of brightness.
Now you can have a stylish battery operated mirror in your bathroom that is made from sturdy steel with a polished chrome finish with a glass mirror illuminated by LED lights.
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Energy Saving
Battery Operated Magnified Mirrors – a quick and easy solution.
David Styles - 28 October 2011 - Energy Saving, LED Designer Lighting
Lighting Styles has sold illuminated shaving and vanity mirrors for a number of years and one common question is the availability of battery operated mirrors. So why would a battery operated shaving mirror be required? Ease of installation means a battery illuminated mirror can just be screwed to the wall and switched on. No electrician is required and any existing decoration and wall tiles are not disturbed by the need to channel out the wall to provide and electrical supply.
However the high energy usage of halogen and fluorescent lamps made them impractical to operate on batteries – the batteries simply would not operate the lamps for a long enough period of time or would give insufficient light to make them worthwhile. Once high output LED lamps became available their energy efficient use of electricity and their requirement for a low voltage DC supply made them ideal for use on batteries.
So with new technology providing a low energy light source Lighting Styles went through a design exercise to make the most practical and stylish design for a mirror that would use the LED light source. The first requirement was to have a mirror that gave a magnified image. Popular levels of magnification for use in vanity and shaving mirrors are 3x and 5 x magnification. This level of magnification makes it easier to apply make-up with accuracy and enable a close shave that doesn’t miss hairs in more awkward places.
Also in the design process was the requirement for the mirror to be flexible enough for use by all member of the family. So the design was based around a vertical rail that allows the height of the mirror to be raised or lowered to suit users of different height. Other practical design requirements include the ability to bring the mirror closer to the user and make it easy to fold away so an arm is used that brings the mirror 150mm forward for close-up work. Next to suit all bathroom layouts the design incorporated a ball joint that allowed the mirror to tilt and rotate so that the user can see a clear image when using the battery operated mirror.
With the design aesthetics of the battery shaving mirror in place the practicalities of providing the best light source was considered. Behind the magnified glass is a printed circuit board with 36 “T” type LED chips that emit light to the side where a opaque plastic ring surrounding the mirror catches the light an illuminates the face. Another practical requirement for a battery operated shaving mirror is ensuring long battery life and consideration was given to how this would be achieved. After careful trials Lighting styles discovered that incorporating an automatic timer into the on switch would be a good and reliable way of ensuring the mirror was not left on after use. Many of us are in a rush in the morning so it would be a mistake to make a battery operated mirror that does not automatically switch itself off! This function saves the batteries and ensures long time between battery replacements. Lastly a few other improvements were made including a soft push button that switches the lights on and allows for three levels of brightness.
Now you can have a stylish battery operated mirror in your bathroom that is made from sturdy steel with a polished chrome finish with a glass mirror illuminated by LED lights.
Tags: Illuminated mirror,
Ball Pendant, Floor and Wall Range
Debi - 22 September 2011 - Energy Saving
Brighten up your living or leisure space with the Ball shaped range of lighting at Lighting Styles they certainly are versatile and vibrant, the Pendants and Wall lights in the range come in 9 stunning colours:- Yellow, Black, White, Orange, Green, Red, Purple, Satin and Chrome.
The Range comprises of Ball Pendants, Ball Wall lights and the Ball Floor Light (available in Red, Black or White colours only).
These are super in teenage bedrooms or studies adding a splash of colour. The Pendants have a generous 2 meters of clear suspension cable, which can be shortened on installation. With a diameter of 18cm they also look fantastic suspended in a group over a breakfast bar.
Colourful lighting is always a great way to brighten your living space and the Ball Floor lamp combined with the Ball Wall lights will make any room come alive.
The Danish design incorporates clear flex so as not to detract from the vibrant colours. The wall lights have the on/off switch on the flex and a 3 pin plug offering manoeuvrability. The Ball wall lights use E14 lamps and the Ball Pendants / Ball Floor Light use E27 lamps these are available in energy saving forms which is an excellent environmental choice because of high energy efficiency and a long reliable lamp life of approx 2000 hours.
The Range comprises of Ball Pendants, Ball Wall lights and the Ball Floor Light (available in Red, Black or White colours only).
These are super in teenage bedrooms or studies adding a splash of colour. The Pendants have a generous 2 meters of clear suspension cable, which can be shortened on installation. With a diameter of 18cm they also look fantastic suspended in a group over a breakfast bar.
Colourful lighting is always a great way to brighten your living space and the Ball Floor lamp combined with the Ball Wall lights will make any room come alive.
The Danish design incorporates clear flex so as not to detract from the vibrant colours. The wall lights have the on/off switch on the flex and a 3 pin plug offering manoeuvrability. The Ball wall lights use E14 lamps and the Ball Pendants / Ball Floor Light use E27 lamps these are available in energy saving forms which is an excellent environmental choice because of high energy efficiency and a long reliable lamp life of approx 2000 hours.
Tags: wall lights, pendant lighting, floor lights, iconic pendants, ceiling pendants, wall mounted spotlights,
Updating your Kitchen Lighting with Recessed Downlights
Debi - 11 August 2011 - Energy Saving
Ok, I have now finished my glamorous update to my kitchen flooring and kitchen cupboards and need to move on to sorting my kitchen lighting. Recessed Downlights have come a long way since mine were first installed, too many years ago to mention!
Lighting Styles have a brilliant and comprehensive range of kitchen lighting including Recessed Downlights. These now come in various sizes ranging from the standard 70mm cut-out to the Oversized Downlights which will cover a cut-out of between 70-140mm. There are also various finishes to choose from Satin Silver, White, Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Brass etc..
I plumped for the Twist lock fixed Recessed Downlight in Satin Silver which is also available with a tilt. This is a low voltage MR16 fitting which requires a transformer, I did not require this as I was updating and replacing my kitchen lighting and these were already in place. Lighting Styles do offer kits which include transformers and lamps at very reasonable prices if required.
The ease of replacing these fittings was astonishing, you just release your lamp, unclamp the fitting from the lamp holder and then remove fitting from the ceiling, push the new Recessed Downlight fitting into your cut-out and release the clamps which hold it firmly in place. The next thing to do is insert the lamp – this bit I was really looking forward to, no more fighting with fiddly lamp holding springs. The lamp just sits inside the holder and you just twist it into place – easy peasy.
All this took just a few minutes per Downlight and my kitchen lighting is now back up to 21st century standard thanks to Lighting Styles.
Lighting Styles have a brilliant and comprehensive range of kitchen lighting including Recessed Downlights. These now come in various sizes ranging from the standard 70mm cut-out to the Oversized Downlights which will cover a cut-out of between 70-140mm. There are also various finishes to choose from Satin Silver, White, Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Brass etc..
I plumped for the Twist lock fixed Recessed Downlight in Satin Silver which is also available with a tilt. This is a low voltage MR16 fitting which requires a transformer, I did not require this as I was updating and replacing my kitchen lighting and these were already in place. Lighting Styles do offer kits which include transformers and lamps at very reasonable prices if required.
The ease of replacing these fittings was astonishing, you just release your lamp, unclamp the fitting from the lamp holder and then remove fitting from the ceiling, push the new Recessed Downlight fitting into your cut-out and release the clamps which hold it firmly in place. The next thing to do is insert the lamp – this bit I was really looking forward to, no more fighting with fiddly lamp holding springs. The lamp just sits inside the holder and you just twist it into place – easy peasy.
All this took just a few minutes per Downlight and my kitchen lighting is now back up to 21st century standard thanks to Lighting Styles.
Tags: Recessed Downlights, Kitchen lighting, kitchen lights, recessed lights, recessed lighting
It's a deal, it's a steal, it's the sale of the century
David Styles - 10 May 2011 - Energy Saving
Once upon a time we used to sell this mirror for £245. Then thanks to some value engineering on components and the cost of freight were able to sell it at £187.00. We`ll now we have only a few remaining in stock and to clear our warehouse a few customers are able to buy this mirror for £145.00 - that`s £100 off it`s original selling price!
It`s a great mirror and being 900mm wide looks really effective above modern bathroom sinks. It houses two triphosphor fluorescent lamps operating in high frequency flicker-free control gear. That means natural skin tones and no popping when the lamps are switched on.
Don`t be shy, step up and buy one before they are all gone. illuminated bathroom mirror
It`s a great mirror and being 900mm wide looks really effective above modern bathroom sinks. It houses two triphosphor fluorescent lamps operating in high frequency flicker-free control gear. That means natural skin tones and no popping when the lamps are switched on.
Don`t be shy, step up and buy one before they are all gone. illuminated bathroom mirror
Outdoor Garden, Gazebo and Party lighting
Katie Jefferies - 26 April 2011 - Energy Saving
Following the superb hot and sunny bank holiday weekend, which I am very happy to report was spent both in my own garden and that of my very hospitable local pub! My thoughts were drawn to exterior garden lighting and my lack of it! So if you are like me, looking for good garden lighting at affordable prices (and I don`t just mean the great practical stuff with energy saving features and clever motion sensors), but the really fun and decorative types too, then please read on....
Outdoor spaces are now so much more than simply gardens. They are extensions of our homes and have become fabulous outdoor rooms for the BBQ, eating, drinking and entertaining. Lighting these spaces is not only essential in order to maximise their full potential, it can also create exciting drama or a warm inviting glow encouraging us to make the most of the fast approaching balmy summer evenings.
Gazebo lighting (as pictured) is great for weddings and garden parties but also a fabulously effective start to illuminating any garden for any occasion. Bring life to decking areas and patios, roof terraces or even balconies. Like the more traditional Festoon Party Lights, Gazebo lights are very easy to hang and once you have the perfect arrangement simply `plug and play`.
Lamps can be changed with ease and, if your looking to lower your energy consumption consider fitting with the latest energy efficient halogen or compact fluorescents. Or even add some colour with vibrant green, blue, yellow and red coloured lamps.
There are a huge range of lighting possibilities to choose from; Illuminated planter pots are another great way to add light and interest to the exterior. Line a pathway, group together and brighten a dull and dark corner. Garden spike lights, solar lanterns and even the new LED parasol lights. All are designed with flexibility in mind as they are non fixed/ non permanent thus easily repositioned and easily stored when the winter months come, ready for the next summer.
Outdoor spaces are now so much more than simply gardens. They are extensions of our homes and have become fabulous outdoor rooms for the BBQ, eating, drinking and entertaining. Lighting these spaces is not only essential in order to maximise their full potential, it can also create exciting drama or a warm inviting glow encouraging us to make the most of the fast approaching balmy summer evenings.
Gazebo lighting (as pictured) is great for weddings and garden parties but also a fabulously effective start to illuminating any garden for any occasion. Bring life to decking areas and patios, roof terraces or even balconies. Like the more traditional Festoon Party Lights, Gazebo lights are very easy to hang and once you have the perfect arrangement simply `plug and play`.
Lamps can be changed with ease and, if your looking to lower your energy consumption consider fitting with the latest energy efficient halogen or compact fluorescents. Or even add some colour with vibrant green, blue, yellow and red coloured lamps.
There are a huge range of lighting possibilities to choose from; Illuminated planter pots are another great way to add light and interest to the exterior. Line a pathway, group together and brighten a dull and dark corner. Garden spike lights, solar lanterns and even the new LED parasol lights. All are designed with flexibility in mind as they are non fixed/ non permanent thus easily repositioned and easily stored when the winter months come, ready for the next summer.
Tags: Decorative & Party Lights, leisure grow, Festoon, Illuminated Planter Pots
The nights are drawing out but good lighting is still a requirement
Diane Styles - 17 February 2011 - Energy Saving
It`s wonderful that the days are becoming longer and there are more day light hours, however at this early time of year the quality of light can still be poor. It`s important to have a selection of lighting in your home especially for all the varying tasks, i.e. reading, sewing or watching television.
For example, If getting a close shave is important to you then not only will one of our shaving mirror lights look great, but it will provide the necessary illumination required for shaving or applying make-up. Check out the website section for bathrooms and choose Illuminated Shaving Mirrors.
If you like to spend time reading then you need a task lamp such as the “Tiga” which has an energy saving GX53 lamp. This low heat table lamp has a directional lamp head to enable you to direct the light where you need it most.
Finally a mother and child floor lamp (so called because there’s a large “mother” light that normally directs to the ceiling and a “child” arm which can be directed as required) is ideal for reading and upwards lighting plus the arm can be moved to any position allowing good illumination for close tasks.
So, until spring has sprung and we see sunnier longer days we should light our homes as best we can and make use of the many excellent light fittings available.
Exterior Lighting
Karen Pook - 12 November 2010 - Energy Saving
As the autumn colours are coming through and the nights are drawing in its time to think about your exterior lighting. When visitors arrive a warm welcome at the door and an ambient feel can really make the difference.
I particularly like the Extruded Aluminium Wall Light which comes in a black or silver. This has an attractive fan effect and looks stylish on any wall. The fitting is supplied with a 9w energy saving lamp which is an added bonus offering the equivalent to 55w incandescent lamp.
Our full range of exterior lighting can be viewed on our website under the sub heading of outdoor lighting. You will find the range includes anything from Decorative party lights to Traditional garden lighting and functional lighting.
Extruded Aluminium Wall Light
I particularly like the Extruded Aluminium Wall Light which comes in a black or silver. This has an attractive fan effect and looks stylish on any wall. The fitting is supplied with a 9w energy saving lamp which is an added bonus offering the equivalent to 55w incandescent lamp.
Our full range of exterior lighting can be viewed on our website under the sub heading of outdoor lighting. You will find the range includes anything from Decorative party lights to Traditional garden lighting and functional lighting.
Extruded Aluminium Wall Light
Tags: Extruded Aluminium Wall Light, Exterior Lighting, Outdoor Commercial Lighting
Chunky Funky Ceramic Pendants
David Styles - 28 September 2010 - Energy Saving
Oh I`ve gotta have one of these is a phrase often heard in the Lighting Styles Office and these chunky funky pendants are no exception. That said considering redecorating your entire room around the colour of your light fitting is a little extreme!
They`re new, they`re from Barcelona, and come in three distinct shapes and three colours. The shades are suspended by a silk braided flex in colours to match the pendant and the ceiling fixing are ceramic too. The matt glaze finish of the shade really does look good and makes them easy to wipe over with a cloth making maintenance a doddle.
Inside is a lampholder to take an energy saving lamp (max 20w) and the suspension is 1.5 metres which suit higher ceilings but can be reduced as required.
Great product, great colours, but do i really need to redecorate again?
They`re new, they`re from Barcelona, and come in three distinct shapes and three colours. The shades are suspended by a silk braided flex in colours to match the pendant and the ceiling fixing are ceramic too. The matt glaze finish of the shade really does look good and makes them easy to wipe over with a cloth making maintenance a doddle.
Inside is a lampholder to take an energy saving lamp (max 20w) and the suspension is 1.5 metres which suit higher ceilings but can be reduced as required.
Great product, great colours, but do i really need to redecorate again?
Part L is changing - what does this mean
David Styles - 28 July 2010 - Energy Saving, LED Designer Lighting
Yes Part L of the Building Regulations Approved Document that deals with conservation of fuel and power in new dwellings and new non-domestic buildings is being updated in October 2010 and has tightened up the requirements for lighting.
With each update the requirement to use energy efficient fittings increases and the level at which a lamp is considered to efficient increases to match the more efficient lamps that come onto the market.
In the end there will be a requirement for all general domestic lighting to be energy efficient with only display and accent lighting being excluded.
But for now here are the changes...
NEW Domestic Dwellings
Internal - 3 out of 4 internal lights are to be low energy fittings1.
Fittings that use 5 circuit watts or fewer are excluded.
External – 100w per fitting is the maximum permissible and these must be automatically controlled i.e. with a dusk to dawn sensor or used with a proximity or PIR detector.
If low energy fittings1 are used they may be of higher wattage but still require automated switching to consider daylight or manually switched.
1 Defined as fittings with a luminous efficiency greater than 45 lamp lumens per circuit watt and a total output greater than 400 lumens.
NEW Non-Domestic Buildings
Office, Industrial and Storage Areas – Average efficacy to be not less than 55 luminaire lumens2 per watt.
Other Interior Areas – Average efficacy to be not less than 55 lamp lumens per circuit watt.
Display Lighting – Average efficacy to be not less than 22 lamp lumens per circuit watt.
2 Luminaire lumens per watt should consider the efficiency of the luminaire (its LOR – Light output Ratio, lamp lumens and losses at control gear. In practice a 26w PL-C lamp in an inefficient compact fluorescent downlight will fall below the 55 luminaire lumens per watt. So their use should be combined with more efficient lights to meet the average required.
The LOR is the light output ratio, and is a proportion/percentage of the light output which is usable, i.e. downwards, and reflected downwards. Factors like the louvre, reflectors, diffusers and the lamp positioning itself effect how much light gets out of the luminaire.
With each update the requirement to use energy efficient fittings increases and the level at which a lamp is considered to efficient increases to match the more efficient lamps that come onto the market.
In the end there will be a requirement for all general domestic lighting to be energy efficient with only display and accent lighting being excluded.
But for now here are the changes...
NEW Domestic Dwellings
Internal - 3 out of 4 internal lights are to be low energy fittings1.
Fittings that use 5 circuit watts or fewer are excluded.
External – 100w per fitting is the maximum permissible and these must be automatically controlled i.e. with a dusk to dawn sensor or used with a proximity or PIR detector.
If low energy fittings1 are used they may be of higher wattage but still require automated switching to consider daylight or manually switched.
1 Defined as fittings with a luminous efficiency greater than 45 lamp lumens per circuit watt and a total output greater than 400 lumens.
NEW Non-Domestic Buildings
Office, Industrial and Storage Areas – Average efficacy to be not less than 55 luminaire lumens2 per watt.
Other Interior Areas – Average efficacy to be not less than 55 lamp lumens per circuit watt.
Display Lighting – Average efficacy to be not less than 22 lamp lumens per circuit watt.
2 Luminaire lumens per watt should consider the efficiency of the luminaire (its LOR – Light output Ratio, lamp lumens and losses at control gear. In practice a 26w PL-C lamp in an inefficient compact fluorescent downlight will fall below the 55 luminaire lumens per watt. So their use should be combined with more efficient lights to meet the average required.
The LOR is the light output ratio, and is a proportion/percentage of the light output which is usable, i.e. downwards, and reflected downwards. Factors like the louvre, reflectors, diffusers and the lamp positioning itself effect how much light gets out of the luminaire.
Tags: Part L, Energy Efficient, Approved Documents
Glow in the Dark - Cool
David Styles - 16 June 2010 - Energy Saving, LED Designer Lighting
Heh this is an awesome (a term our web editor likes to use often!) product ideal for a present especially as it comes in a gift like box. A bit funky and a bit cool... Another phrase we could use for this light!
This Glow brick gathers solar power during the day and then, as the night falls, it gradually begins to light up. Made with a real light bulb and phosphor luminescent material, encased in acrylici this has a polished surface to give a jewel like effect.
No limits as to where it could be used or taken as it requires no batteries or main powers - just the sun and it is summer... Right?!
This Glow brick gathers solar power during the day and then, as the night falls, it gradually begins to light up. Made with a real light bulb and phosphor luminescent material, encased in acrylici this has a polished surface to give a jewel like effect.
No limits as to where it could be used or taken as it requires no batteries or main powers - just the sun and it is summer... Right?!
Tags: solar light bulb, glow in the dark, present for teenager, cool and funky, no batteries required
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